Ricardo Wayne Gardner (born 25 September 1978) is a Jamaican former professional footballer. He works as assistant coach at Portmore United. A left winger, he could also play in the centre of midfield or at left wing-back. He last played for Bolton Wanderers in May 2012, completing a 14-year spell at the club, of which 11 were spent in the Premier League. Gardner earned 111 caps for the Jamaica national football team, scoring 9 goals and playing at four CONCACAF Gold Cups and the 1998 FIFA World Cup.

Playing career

Club career

Early career Born in Saint Andrew, Jamaica, Gardner began his professional career with Harbour View, where he debuted as a starter at the age of only 14 years. He also, representing Wolmer's Boys' High School, dominated the local high school football leagues and was considered outstanding. His performances for Jamaica during the 1998 World Cup attracted English First Division side Bolton Wanderers to offer Harbour View £1 million for his services.

Bolton Wanderers Gardner immediately established himself a place in the first team for Bolton. He came on as a substitute to make his debut against Hartlepool in the League Cup on 25 August 1998, and made his league debut as a substitute again against West Bromwich Albion on 8 September 1998. In this game, Bolton were reduced to 10 men after the sending off of Guðni Bergsson shortly after Gardner came on, but he scored a late winner to give his team a memorable 3–2 victory over West Brom. He made 22 appearances, half of them starts, in his first year while scoring three goals. In his second season, 1999–2000, he established a place in the starting eleven, starting 23 of 26 games, that he has held on to since. Although Gardner suffered a cruciate ligament injury that took him out of action at the end of the season, he made a full recovery, and was able to return to the starting line-up in 2000–01 (scoring in the 2001 Division One Play off Final), playing with the promoted Bolton in the Premier League. He was voted Bolton Wanderers F.C. Player of the Year for the 2005–06 season by the club's fans. Due to a knee injury, Gardner did not make his first appearance in the 2006–07 season until December.

In November 2007, he scored his first goal at club level in nearly five years when he opened the scoring in Bolton's 2–2 draw against German giants Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in the UEFA Cup group stage. A year later after being moved from a wing-back role back into midfield he scored in the Wanderers 2–0 win over local rivals Manchester City.

Gardner made his 400th appearance for Bolton in a 3–0 defeat to Fulham on 27 April 2011. On 24 May 2011, he was in discussions to extend his Bolton contract into a fourteenth year. Gardner rejected a move to West Ham United favouring to sign a new one-year contract at Bolton,Ricardo rejects Sam to stick with Whites The Bolton News, 17 June 2011 which he signed on 5 August.Bibi says delighted with new deal at Bolton Jamaica Observer, 7 August 2011 He made four league appearances at the beginning of the next season but was sent off for two bookable offences in Bolton's 3–1 defeat at Swansea City on 29 October and then suffered an injury, making no further appearances that year.

At the close of the January 2012 transfer window, he wasn't named in Bolton's twenty five man Premier League squad for the second half of the season meaning he would play no further part in the league campaign.Premier League Clubs submit Squad Lists Premier League, 2 February 2012 It was later revealed that he had been omitted due to having had an operation on his knee that the Bolton medical staff could not guarantee he would recover from in time to play again that season.Gardner out for season - but not for good The Bolton News, 7 February 2012 It was announced on 18 May 2012 that Ricardo had left the club in line with the expiration of his contract. At the time, Gardner was the second longest serving foreign player in Premier League history after serving fourteen years at Bolton, only beaten by his former Bolton teammate Jussi Jääskeläinen.Van Persie given tantalising taste of what could be The Independent, 19 December 2011

Preston North End (loan) On 8 March 2011, Gardner went to Preston North End on an emergency one-month loan as cover for Phil Brown's side. Bolton manager Owen Coyle said it was a great chance for Gardner to improve his match fitness after only just recovering from injury.

He made his debut the following day at the left-back position in the 2–1 loss to Leeds United and played three more games for the club.

Retirement After the end of his contract with Bolton Wanderers, he spent a year training at his old club, West Ham United and Barnsley to keep up his fitness, and played in two reserve team matches for West Ham but decided to leave England to seek a move to the MLS. He went on an unsuccessful trial at Real Salt Lake where he played for the reserves in a 1–0 win against the Portland Timbers reserves and announced his official retirement in May 2014.

International career Gardner rose to international prominence following the 1998 World Cup. Gardner was an important player for the Jamaican national team and earned his place as the team's captain, captaining the team between 2005 and 2009.Jamaican Observer: "'Bibi' is back! Gardner recalled to Boyz set-up for Caribbean Cup" He also captained the team for one game in 2012 at the 2012 Caribbean Cup.

Coaching career In December 2015, Gardner was appointed as coach of the Jamaica U-20 team. Gardner resigned as Harbour View FC Head coach in December 2018. In March 2019, Gardner joined the staff of Portmore United as assistant coach. In 2021, Gardner left his role as head of Portmore United to move back to England.

Personal life Gardner is a Rastafarian and sports dreadlocks. He is part owner, with Robert Scarlett and Ian Goodison, of a record label, Heart of Love Production, which promotes ragga and dancehall music. His son Che Gardner is also a professional footballer.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsBolton Wanderers1998–99First Division3021031–303731999–2000First Division2954091––4262000–01First Division32320––323752001–02Premier League3132010––3432002–03Premier League322––––3222003–04Premier League220–40––2602004–05Premier League3304010––3802005–06Premier League300403070–4402006–07Premier League18030–––2102007–08Premier League260––41–3012008–09Premier League2941010––3142009–10Premier League2113020––2612010–11Premier League500010––602011–12Premier League400020––60Total342202402721116241025Preston North End (loan)2010–11Championship400000––40Career total346202402721116241425

International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJamaica19972431998190199990200050200111220021020031002004902005102007422008122200930201230Total1119

Scores and results list Jamaica's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Gardner goal.

+ List of international goals scored by Ricardo GardnerNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda2–04–11997 Caribbean Cup2National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica1–01–0Friendly3National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica– 6–1Friendly4National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica1–01–12002 FIFA World Cup qualification5National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica2–04–1Friendly6National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica2–03–0Friendly73–08National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica 5–15–1Friendly9National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica1–07–02010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours Bolton Wanderers Football League First Division play-offs: 2001

Jamaica Caribbean Cup: 1998

Individual Bolton Wanderers Player of the Year: 2005–06

See also List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps

References

External links